Business leaders in Suffolk and Essex have endorsed the findings of a new survey showing a record level of confidence among British firms involved in exporting.

More than a third of the 2,400 firms covered by the research, conducted by British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and parcels group DHL Express, also expect to create more jobs, with manufacturers the most optimistic.

Denise Rossiter, chief executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce, said: “These results very much reflect what we are seeing from chambers’ members and businesses using our export documentation service with year on year growth in these services.

“We are encouraging businesses to look at new markets and are organising seminars for exporters to find out about new opportunities in Romania and Russia.

“We have also launched an International Trade Forum to bring together businesses and Ministers to help overcome barriers to exporting and recently met with the new International Trade Minister, Lord Livingston, to highlight the successes Essex businesses are experiencing in exporting around the world.”

John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said the figure were “good news for business, good news for the economy and good news for UK plc”.

“In Suffolk exporting plays a leading role in our economy and our 2013 campaign Exporting is Good for Suffolk did show the real and lasting impact trading overseas has,” he said.

However, Mr Dugmore added: “These figures do not mean we should sit back and see how well we are doing. They should serve as a reminder there is more to do over 2014 and beyond.”

BCC director general John Longworth said the high level of confidence showed ambition and willingness to achieve even greater success in overseas markets.

However, he cautioned that a dip in total export volumes in the final three months of 2013 showed that there was more to be done ? by government and businesses alike ? to meet the Government’s target of growing exports to £1trillion by 2020.